Santa Fe Film Festival - Icebox
Fleeing gang violence, a young boy from Honduras is arrested crossing the US border and sent to an immigrant detention facility. Trapped inside the “Icebox” and faced with a rigid immigration process, he struggles to gain control of his fate.
Interview with Writer/Director Daniel Sawka
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Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It is a subject that has always interested me greatly. My family has a migrant background so the questions the story raises are questions I have thought about a lot growing up. Having said that, this story is so far from my own reality, which was also fascinating. That mix of something familiar and something so far away at the same time, made for a very fascinating experience of making the film. I am so grateful for all the people who shared their experiences with us during our research trips to Mexico and Arizona. It opened up a whole new world for me.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You don't have to know anything about migrants or the situation along the border to enjoy this film. It throws you into that world but it deals with the emotional journey of a young boy that I believe resonates whether or not you're interested in the broader political context. It's a great story about a unique character.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Icebox is about individuals trapped in an institution. I say individuals because I believe characters on both sides are victims of this circumstance. It is a scenario that puts the character's actions into question and asks us what right and wrong means both in terms of the system at large and for individual characters.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
It changed a great deal all the way through. I came into this project being very aware that this was not my experience. So the first important thing was to listen and not try to let our preconceived notions get in the way of the real story. I had a loose structure and then let our interviews influence the shape and emotional journey of the film. We tried to get as many perspectives as we could so we interviewed migrants, lawyers, border patrol officers, activists, NGO workers, the former Salvadoran Consul in Arizona, who unfortunately passed away this year. We tried to bring their experiences into the narrative and the characters.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been great. We have had great response from audiences and people have reached out to us through emails and calls after watching the film. Both from people who are very familiar with the world we are describing and those who knew nothing about it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We have been met with some hostility from individuals who are anti-immigration. I think that's an important part of making a film like this, that it brings out real debate between people who don't necessarily share the same opinions. I'm happy to say that some of those conversations were very good and I hope discussing it can help us move past the prejudice and preconceptions that we are all guilty of.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible onwww.wearemovingstories.com
Hopefully people who are curious about the film can find information here. I love meeting people face to face at screening and Q&As but you can't attend all of them unfortunately and there are always more interesting discussions to be had than there is time in the day.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
So far the reception has been great. The film is playing at really great festivals at the moment so we hope that carries on in 2017. We are always interested in speaking to people who are attracted to similar stories as us, so all are welcome.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
The way we speak about migrants is often very detached from the emotional experiences of those involved. I hope people watching this film get a sense of a person, of the human beings involved. That perspective is often lost in numbers, statistics and political rhetoric.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I don't want to pose a singular question. I think the range of questions and reactions from people watching the film are far more interesting.
Would you like to add anything else?
I would like to mention our lead actor Anthony Gonzales. He is an amazing young actor and aprivilege to work with. I have come to know him and his family very well and we have become very close friends. I hope to work with him again in the very near future. He is currently working on the Pixar film Coco, in which he has a significant part.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Daniel: I'm writing two feature scripts at the moment. One which I am aiming to direct it in 2017. The second feature is in development at Gracie Films. They are a fantastic company and I feel very lucky to be working with them.
Camille: I was hired to work for producer Virginie Besson (Luc Besson's wife) on their next film "Valerian and the city of a thousand planets". We are currently in post-production, and it has been one the greatest experience so far in my career. But I keep an eye on our short film, and it is with great pride that we see it growing.
Ian Holliday (DP) is shooting commercials and music videos internationally; he currently produces an online educational science program, Split-Second Science, in collaboration with Canadian scientists.
Interview: December 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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ICEBOX
Fleeing gang violence, a young boy from Honduras is arrested crossing the US border and sent to an immigrant detention facility. Trapped inside the “Icebox” and faced with a rigid immigration process, he struggles to gain control of his fate.
Length:
27 minutes.
Director:
Daniel Sawka
Producer:
Camille Cornuel
Writer:
Daniel Sawka
About the writer, director and producer:
Daniel: I'm the big brother to three siblings. That is a big part of who I am and a strong influence on my approach to filmmaking.
Camille: Born and raised in Ivory Coast, I travelled and lived abroad. I think because of this, I always felt attracted to different cultures and stories.
Key cast:
Anthony Gonzales, José Alvarez, Jonathan Castellanos and Lane Garrison.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Anyone who has an interest in the film and would like to know more.
Funders:
Icebox was crowdfunded and we are extremely grateful to everyone who made Icebox possible. They are all in the credits and we are very proud to have had their support.
Where can I see it in the next month?
Gothenburg International Film Festival and Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival